When Miss S. from Toronto came in she told me she was obsessed with bird cage veils, and I quietly thought to myself… awesome, so am I. I have a quite a collection – anytime I find one in a store, I have to buy it. I travel to my boudoir photography marathons with a white veil (as well as a black one). I was thrilled to be able to do more shots with the white veil. It gives a whole different look than the black veil. I think it gives a nice soft look, and you don’t have to be a bride to wear one.

Miss S. was photographed at our last boudoir photography marathon in Toronto.

I love these images of Marianne. She wore the birdcage veil and I thought these images would be perfect for a vintage inspired look.

I have a black and a white birdcage veil that I bring to all my sessions that you can use if you would like a similar look for yourself.

“Something old” that is being made “something new” is the timeless and alluring birdcage veil. Made popular by vintage Hollywood, the birdcage veil was worn by glamorous actresses and brides in 1940s weddings. The style became popular in the 1940s as a reaction to the full length, fussy veils that were previously the norm. The birdcage veil is a short veil that covers the bride’s eyes, extending only about as far as the nose.

Regaining popularity among today’s fashionable brides, the birdcage veil is certainly in vogue. Seen among Hollywood weddings, the birdcage veil was spotted last year on the Grey’s Anatomy star, Katherine Heigl. She looked stunning in a birdcage veil for her wedding to Josh Kelley, serving to further popularize the chic style. Recently Drew Barrymore also wore a birdcage veil on the Red Carpet for her film “Grey Gardens”.

The birdcage veil lends a flirty, glamorous look to your wedding style, masking the bride’s eyes, but leaving the mouth visible for a sexy and playful, yet classy look. Many of my boudoir clients look gorgeous in a birdcage veil in their boudoir pictures, and this is why I love having a black and white one available for clients to use.

The birdcage veil is an easy style to wear, and it is suitable for a wide variety of features. The veil itself can be made slightly longer or shorter to suit the bride’s individual taste, as well as what is most becoming on her. The birdcage veil is usually worn with either with a pinned-up hairstyle or by women with short hair. This is a nice option for women with shorter haircuts who may not be comfortable wearing a long, cumbersome veil.

The birdcage veil is a whimsical, romantic way to finish your wedding look, and also a great addition for your boudoir photographs.  It is short, light and easy to wear, not unwieldy or awkward as some long veils can be. The birdcage veil also suits a range of dresses, from a slim tailored dress of a modern bride to a fairy tale dress of brides looking for a more traditional look. Birdcage veils are also becoming a popular choice for brides marrying for a second time. Some women feel that a long veil is suitable only for a first wedding, but still want the special feeling of wearing a veil to mark the occasion of their marriage.

The birdcage veil is an option that makes a bride feel beautiful and glamorous – whether you are walking down the aisle or snapping sexy photos at your boudoir session.

Here are a couple of online resources where you can buy bird cage veils:
www.myweddingveil.com
www.birdcageveils.com
www.unveiledbridaldesigns.com

Katherine and Drew’s Bird cage veils: